The vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) helps prevent some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and conditions caused by certain types of the virus, such as cervical cancer, precancerous conditions and genital warts. If your teen daughter is sexually active, she is at risk of contracting STDs. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and young women from ages 9 to 26. It works best in women who have not come into contact with the virus, which is why it is recommended at such an early age as a routine vaccine. The two available types of the vaccine, Gardasil and Cervarix, are approved and considered safe by the FDA. They do not contain mercury or thimerisol.
Parents are concerned about the side effects of vaccines, especially when they are new. The HPV vaccine is not a live virus, so there is no danger of getting HPV as a result of the vaccine. The vaccine requires three doses; the shots may cause some temporary local discomfort, but severe side effects are rare. The HPV vaccine is not on the list of required immunizations, but health providers recommend the vaccine to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, even in young women who are already sexually active. The vaccine does not cure any HPV infections or conditions that your daughter may already have, but it can protect against those she hasn't yet been exposed to.
There are some medical conditions where the vaccine is not recommended, such as certain immune disorders or blood conditions. Young women should also know that the HPV vaccine only protects against some of the conditions that can be caused by the virus and does not prevent all cases of cervical cancer, so it's imperative they have regular checkups and Pap smears at the gynecologist.
